ISG has been awarded a £13 million contract by Queensbury Real Estate to convert Manchester’s historic Grade II listed Corn Exchange into a four-star hotel. The work will include the refurbishment of the building from levels two to five, creating a 114 bedroom ‘aparthotel’ for operator Roomzzz. This scheme is
CONSTRUCTION company G F Tomlinson has officially started work on a pioneering £23 million project on behalf of the University of Nottingham to expand its Centre for Biomolecular Sciences. A ground-breaking event took place on 4 April to mark the beginning of the scheme that will deliver a state-of-the-art research
Dexter Moren Associates (DMA), the award-winning architects, have received planning permission for a 274 key hotel on a disused brownfield site in the heart of Waterloo on behalf of client Frogmore. Apart from the guest rooms, the new development will include a ground floor restaurant fronting onto an inviting public
Since Rothgen Capital UK announced the launch of the latest funding round for The Tyram Lakes Hotel, Spa and Resort in Hatfield, near Doncaster in Yorkshire UK, Doncaster as an area has been attracting a significant amount of new attention, both domestic and internationally. As well as Doncaster’s undeniable horse
Over the last five years, we have seen interesting changes to the hospitality industry. As development consultants, we help organisations deliver built projects across a range of sectors. The leisure industry is one of the key areas in which our business operates, and it is really growing for us. The
Gateway Casinos and Entertainment have signed a letter of intent to become a part of the True North Strong development on the Kingsway and plan to build a 60 million dollar facility on the property. Gateway took over the northern bundle of casinos on May 30th and now plan to
ISG has been awarded a £13 million contract by Queensbury Real Estate to convert Manchester’s historic Grade II listed Corn Exchange into a four-star hotel. The work will include the refurbishment of the building from levels two to five, creating a 114 bedroom ‘aparthotel’ for operator Roomzzz. This scheme is phase two of a wider £30 million investment in the development of the building as a leisure destination, after the first phase saw the ground and first floor levels converted into a restaurant and bar which will stay open during the second phase of the work above. ISG is set to start work around the middle of next month and will carry out remedial works to the roof structure, before installing a cantilevered scaffold system on the first floor. After this, ISG will make significant structural changes to the floor slabs of the building to introduce new service risers to accommodate the new electrical and mechanical infrastructure. The scheme will use the existing brick walls in conjunction with new partitioning to create four new types of room, from penthouses to apartments, which will include a guest suite in the turret of the building, accessible by a new spiral staircase. An historic feature will be created within the hotel through the restoration of three architecturally listed stair cores. Northern Managing Director at ISG, Andy McLinden, said that the Manchester’s Corn Exchange is a much loved and special structure and this latest evolution builds on the growing trend for hybrid guest accommodation in Manchester. McLinden added: “This is a high-profile showcase of our capabilities delivering luxury hotel accommodation in a logistically challenging and busy city centre location, with the added complexity of working in an architecturally protected building.” He also commented that it is a great challenge for the firm, but one that he believes ISG will thrive in.
CONSTRUCTION company G F Tomlinson has officially started work on a pioneering £23 million project on behalf of the University of Nottingham to expand its Centre for Biomolecular Sciences. A ground-breaking event took place on 4 April to mark the beginning of the scheme that will deliver a state-of-the-art research facility to help identify new breakthroughs in the treatment and diagnosis for serious diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular, liver, bone and respiratory conditions. The 65,000 sq ft flexible research centre will be housed across five floors and will feature world-class laboratories and research space for 350 academics, researchers and PHD students, as well as bringing together experts currently located across six university sites. The new centre – which is due to open in late 2019 – will be located on the University Park Campus and will benefit from thermal insulation, rooftop plantrooms, photovoltaic panels and brise soleil sun screens. Two link bridges will also be created on the third floor to connect the new building to the existing Centre for Biomolecular Sciences (CBS) building and adjacent Boots Science building. Andy Sewards, managing director for G F Tomlinson said: “We’re proud to be working with the University of Nottingham again to deliver another flagship project to improve specialist research facilities; the research taking place at this centre will eventually lead to improving the lives of people affected by serious diseases. “We recently delivered the Advanced Manufacturing Building on the university’s Jubilee Campus and this development builds on our reputation for delivering high quality, sustainable buildings within the higher education sector. “This building’s sustainable features will help it to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, meaning that it will meet strict industry standards for eco-efficiency which will help keep running costs low and protect the environment.” The expansion marks the third phase of a development by the university to satisfy demands for Biomolecular research accommodation. Several of the research groups being housed in the new facility are: Division of Cancer and Stem Cells in the School of Medicine, the Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Group, the Cancer Pathogenesis Research Group in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, researchers from the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre, the Division of Respiratory Medicine in the School of Medicine, the Division of Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Therapies in the School of Pharmacy. The building will also house the newly created Centre for Cancer Sciences (CCS), which will take a pioneering approach to create a new centre of excellence in the detection and treatment of cancer. The project team includes Buro Four and architects Benoy. Find out more about G F Tomlinson at www.gftomlinson.co.uk or join the conversation at @GFTomlinson.
Dexter Moren Associates (DMA), the award-winning architects, have received planning permission for a 274 key hotel on a disused brownfield site in the heart of Waterloo on behalf of client Frogmore. Apart from the guest rooms, the new development will include a ground floor restaurant fronting onto an inviting public courtyard and pocket park. The mid-market hotel will be situated in the heart of the London Borough of Southwark and it will contain two separate blocks of accommodation connected via an elegant light weight glazed bridge link. A public route between the two blocks will lead to a verdant pocket park and the new Marlborough Yard. The pocket park will incorporate seating, sculpture and abundant planting to offer respite and a sense of place within the hubbub of city life. Diverse tree species will provide shade and create a calm oasis, as well as helping to improve local air quality. Native and ornamental plants will foster biodiversity throughout the scheme and a mosaic of wildflower and sedum green roofs will provide a habitat for wildlife. “This is a complex and sensitive site and our design has been through several iterations, each taking on board comments from council officers and local stakeholders. The approved scheme is a thoughtful and outward looking development that is respectful to its context and neighbours, as well as creating a beautiful pocket park that invites locals and hotel guests alike to meander through the re-instated roadway and spend time in the restaurant and courtyard,” said director of DMA Mark Wood. The company’s design will reinterpret local materials and characteristic into a contemporary piece of quality architecture. The three colours used are glazed green, yellow London stock and pale white matt, while the textures and tones of brickwork reflect the local Victorian industrial vernacular and public houses and give a light, delicate façade, with a repetition of bay elements creating a structure and vertical rhythm. The work on the site will start this summer and will aim to achieve BREEAM Excellent rating.
Since Rothgen Capital UK announced the launch of the latest funding round for The Tyram Lakes Hotel, Spa and Resort in Hatfield, near Doncaster in Yorkshire UK, Doncaster as an area has been attracting a significant amount of new attention, both domestic and internationally. As well as Doncaster’s undeniable horse racing heritage, it has a surprising amount to offer in other areas. This has recently been demonstrated by Amazon, IKEA, Tesco, Lidl, BMW, Asda et al who are all utilising the convenient geographical location for their large distribution centres, plus Doncaster’s obvious proximity to significant transport and travel capabilities, including Doncaster Sheffield (formerly Robin Hood) airport. Amongst other news of note, the Yorkshire Wildlife Park has recently announced its £50M expansion which will potentially make it a top UK destination. With so much international attention now focussing on the Doncaster area in general, can it be much wonder that property developers have started exploring possibilities in the region? With infrastructure improving weekly, and demonstrable confidence from some of the world’s best known companies, the luxury property sector is finally also taking notice. One of these sector members is Rothgen Capital’s Tyram Lakes project, which uses cutting edge ecological and eco-friendly innovations as its basis, and is leading the field in this kind of development, thus of particular interest to energy focussed investors and the media alike. In the centre of the Humberside Peatlands, Hatfield Moor and the National Nature Reserve in South Yorkshire, plans are already approved for 325 luxury eco-lodges set on and around 65 acres of lakes adjacent to 100 acres of natural woodlands, plus the hotel and spa, constituting The Tyram Lakes Hotel, Spa and Resort. There are two types of eco-lodges. About a third of the lodges (125) will be floating structures, and a further 200 will be set amid the vast woodlands. Available from two to four bedrooms versions, all lodges will blend into the landscape providing private hideaways with natural spaces all around. Lodge features include rooftop gardens fitted with solar panels, decking areas with sunken spa bath and a choice of classic or contemporary interiors. In the centre of the resort will sit the planned boutique hotel by Den Architecture in association with Baca Architects, who are specialists in eco-friendly and amphibious projects. This unique hotel will offer 104 rooms, conference facilities, a fine dining restaurant with lakeside views, an indoor pool, leisure club, spa, gymnasium, and a picturesque wedding and party venue. How did this happen? Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council approved the application to build the green resort in December 2016, commencing with the first phase of 50 eco-lodges. The scheme comprises four phases of development: Phase1 – 50 Lakeside and floating lodges Phase2 – 104 Bedroom Hotel, Spa, and Leisure Centre Phase3 – 75 Lakeside and floating lodges Phase4 – 200 Woodland retreat lodges …. and embraces the very latest science and technology to create a resort which is designed to function through environmentally accredited solutions that are energy efficient, all of which engage and sustain the local ecosystems. “The scale and ambitious nature of the plans will ensure the resort is one the most luxurious, fun and relaxing holiday destinations in Europe. This green development will be as sustainable as it’s currently possible to build, and be exemplary case study for other developers,” says Baca Associate, Andrew Scrace. Ecological solutions Geyser Thermal Energy (GTE) has designed from scratch the heating and hot water system for the resort without a significant negative impact on the local ecology. Using the main lake as a heat source for the lodges, coupled with various (non-chemical) water filtration processes, energy consumption and the need for chemicals is vastly reduced. This innovative renewable heating system coupled with highly efficient and ecologically sound water solutions leads also to minimal running costs and environmental impact for the development. The Laws of Attraction Funding rounds by property developers are executed in a number of ways ranging from loans, finance and bridging through to private capital, usually with ease for potential investors in mind. In its hallmark innovative fashion, Rothgen/Tyram Lakes have engaged the Accounting Worx Group, based in Reading UK (along with international presence), who have designed and implemented specific financial instruments for the project to enable investors to participate quickly and easily. These range from bonds through to larger private capital arrangements – all being very attractive for new participants. The investment interest attracted by Tyram Lakes is not just from the Green and Eco sectors. The inherent design and sustainability factors have led to the world famous ARMANI fashion house /brand becoming involved with the design of a selection of exclusive lodges on the site. This means that The Tyram Lakes Resort & Spa is the first holiday resort inside the UK to have Armani participating in this way. Natural England too have partnered with Tyram, who have a sizeable park neighbouring Tyram Lakes, and who also have given complimentary access for Tyram Lakes visitors, enabling yet more acres for hiking, trails, and exploration. With all this happening then, it’s no surprise that Hoseasons, the UK’s largest park operator, are on board. They believe that Tyram could become a flagship park to sit within the Hoseasons Portfolio and have provided projected rental incomes and occupancy levels to back this up showing strong returns, thus providing evidential balance sheet background for those wishing to invest. Finishing off this latest update, Rothgen and Tyram Lakes are pleased to announce the arrival of Royal patronage in the form of Princess Alexandra Cantacuzène-Spéransky who will also be delighted to welcome new participants and investors to the project. So, Doncaster, Yorkshire, UK is ALIVE, and The Tyram Lakes Resort & Hotel is inviting investors to play along……
Over the last five years, we have seen interesting changes to the hospitality industry. As development consultants, we help organisations deliver built projects across a range of sectors. The leisure industry is one of the key areas in which our business operates, and it is really growing for us. The ‘Air BnB’ effect, as it has been coined, has changed the way people look at hotels. There is much more choice available now, and consumer trends suggest that travellers are booking places which offer more homely and comfortable features in increasing numbers. This is true for business travellers as well, who might be staying away for work, and like the idea of having more than just a room to reside in. Apart-hotels and the serviced apartment sector is expanding, with companies like Staybridge Suite hotels pursuing major growth plans in this area. The company reports that globally, there are 250 Staybridge Suite hotels open, with a further 151 hotels opening in the next three to five years. What is the appeal? More space seems to be key. Travellers benefit from relaxed suites, with fully-equipped kitchens, separate working areas, entertainment and free Wi-Fi. They get the comfort of home, with the benefit of hotel-standard services. Communal areas follow suit, providing further usable cooking, dining and eating spaces, which during the evenings become the setting for hotel organised-socials. For developers, dual-brand hotels – which see hotel companies combining their offerings, so that apartment-style hotels are partnered with more conventional hotels, allowing an element of shared services – are an appealing prospect. Companies are able to share the cost of construction as well as operational expenses, resulting in development savings as well as increasing the likelihood of achieving economic feasibility on a project. The future… The dual-brand offering, which in itself is not a new idea, looks set to increase in popularity. This is arguably the hotel industry’s response to the ‘Air BnB effect’ and to a rise in demand for serviced apartments. Dual-brand hotels will be new to many cities in the UK, although the trend is growing here, following huge success throughout Europe and America. Manchester has recently started construction of its first Crowne Plaza/Staybridge Suite, which is planned to open later in 2018. The Global Serviced Apartments Industry Report 2016/2017 comments that “the future is no longer just a serviced apartment sector or a hotel sector. It is no longer binary. Hotels are introducing apartment-like hotel rooms with apartment style facilities and amenities.” Our experience… Within the leisure sector, we have significant experience in delivering hotels, including multiple projects under the Ibis brand across Wales and the South West and a £16.5 million hotel development in Liverpool that was ultimately operated under the Novotel brand. We are working on a 17 bed extension on the Holiday Inn Express in Colliers Wood, and a refurbishment of the Holiday Inn Express in Cardiff, which we’re doing the contract administration and cost management for. We are also excited to be part of the development of South Wales’ first co-branded hotel, which combines an apart-hotel with a traditional hotel. It’s an interesting time for the leisure industry, and it’s fantastic to be part of a positive movement which responds to consumer demand and provides an elegant solution, which benefits both the developer and the end user.
Gateway Casinos and Entertainment have signed a letter of intent to become a part of the True North Strong development on the Kingsway and plan to build a 60 million dollar facility on the property. Gateway took over the northern bundle of casinos on May 30th and now plan to build a premier casino and entertainment property at the location. Sudbury developer Dario Zulich took a leap forward in his plan to build a sports and entertainment district on the Kingsway on Tuesday, as Gateway Casinos & Entertainment announced it had signed a letter of intent with the True North Strong group to become part of the proposed development. The new operator for casinos across Northern Ontario wants to build a ‘premier casino and entertainment property’ on the proposed True North Strong development. In a media release issued on Tuesday, Gateway Casinos and Entertainment said it has signed a letter of intent with True North Strong to build a casino. “Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Limited is the leading gaming and entertainment operator in Canada,” said Zulich, True North Strong president. “We believe that when combined with a new event centre and hotel/convention space, this new, full-service, upscale casino will be a valuable and exciting addition that will complete a multi-faceted regional entertainment district.” In Sudbury, it will be possible to play all jackpots online keno In addition to the long-term investment, the project will result in approximately 700 person-years of construction employment. “Gateway is very excited to take this important step forward in bringing a major investment and up to 250 new jobs to Greater Sudbury,” said Keith Andrews, Gateway vice president and managing director of Ontario operations. “The True North Strong proposal envisions creating a vibrant regional entertainment district. A Gateway property in the district is a perfect complement to this dynamic development.” “It’s been a lot of hard work to see things come together, but they are coming together and it’s exciting to see the potential for a regional entertainment district for northeastern Ontario,” said Andrew Dale, Sudbury Wolves Sports and Entertainment. Construction will begin once all necessary approvals are complete, including municipal consent. “I think this is a game changer for the City of Greater Sudbury and really, it’s a sign to the rest of the province and the rest of the country that Sudbury is booming,” said Robert Kirwin, a Sudbury city councillor.
